I was at the Costa Mesa gun show this weekend when I came across this item. At first it looked like every other gun vault but at second glance I noticed the vault actually had a second compartment for a magazine. (The magazine holder is an add on part and will be available later on next month from what i was told.) The person who created this safe is apparently an engineer. He told me since the magazine was locked and in a seperate compartment, it would be legal to carry a full magazine, unloaded gun anywhere in the vehicle as long as the vault was locked. You can choose your combo, even make it a single button. Also another cool feature, if you park your car outside, when you open the vault, there is a piece of metal you can remove from inside to take the vault out and carry it like a briefcase. I just thought it was really cool and was tempted to purchase it, but I first needed your opinions. How legal is this. The man said it was DOJ approved, but Im sure just the vault is. Not sure about the legality of the loaded mag. Im sorry if this has been discussed before. I did a search and didnt find anything.

Since there is no law against carrying a loaded magazine, so long as it isn't in the magazine well, "it would be legal to carry a full magazine, unloaded gun anywhere in the vehicle as long as the vault was locked" is true, but there's no connection to a separate compartment for the magazine. Ammunition need not be locked up nor need it be separated from the gun - just not ready to fire.

No one will really understand politics until they understand that politicians are not trying to solve our problems. They are trying to solve their own problems - of which getting elected and re-elected are number one and number two. Whatever is number three is far behind.
- Thomas Sowell

I've been saying that for years ...

There is no value at all complaining or analyzing or reading tea leaves to decide what these bills really mean or actually do; any bill with a chance to pass will be bad for gun owners.

The details only count after the Governor signs the bills.

Gregg Easterbrook’s “Law of Doomsaying”: Predict catastrophe no later than ten years hence but no sooner than five years away — soon enough to terrify people but distant enough that they will not remember that you were wrong.

I gave that guy a hard time because he told me the mag part would be done in a month when I saw him at Cow Palace months ago.

He is a good guy though. True though if the gun is locked and the mag isn't in the mag well you are good to go but locking the mag will make it even easier to explain to a newer LEO.

I have also heard arguments that if you mount that to the car it could be considered a locked compartment like a glovebox/utility. So it could be a no go. Not mounted or cable locked has been undisputed. (That I have heard anyway)

It all boils down to what you feel comfortable with. And what you feel comfortable explaining to the LEO who pulled you over.

Its a great design though and I told him when he gets the the mag part done to give me a call and Ill pick one up.

I was at the Costa Mesa gun show this weekend when I came across this item. At first it looked like every other gun vault but at second glance I noticed the vault actually had a second compartment for a magazine. (The magazine holder is an add on part and will be available later on next month from what i was told.) The person who created this safe is apparently an engineer. He told me since the magazine was locked and in a seperate compartment, it would be legal to carry a full magazine, unloaded gun anywhere in the vehicle as long as the vault was locked. You can choose your combo, even make it a single button. Also another cool feature, if you park your car outside, when you open the vault, there is a piece of metal you can remove from inside to take the vault out and carry it like a briefcase. I just thought it was really cool and was tempted to purchase it, but I first needed your opinions. How legal is this. The man said it was DOJ approved, but Im sure just the vault is. Not sure about the legality of the loaded mag. Im sorry if this has been discussed before. I did a search and didnt find anything.

I'll take (a little) credit for pushing him (at one of the shows about two-three years ago) to design the locked loaded mag add-on compartment! Glad to see he's working on it!!! I call it the "serf's ccw". I own two and they work great!

__________________
False is the idea of utility that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one imaginary or trifling inconvenience; that would take fire from men because it burns, and water because one may drown in it; that has no remedy for evils except destruction. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
-- Cesare Beccaria http://www.a-human-right.com/

I'll take (a little) credit for pushing him (at one of the shows about two-three years ago) to design the locked loaded mag add-on compartment! Glad to see he's working on it!!! I call it the "serf's ccw". I own two and they work great!

DO you use it in the vehicle? If so is it mounted? Cable lock? Or just kinda in your car?

I'm travelling to Southern California on Friday night, I have one of those Sentry Lock Boxes for Money and other valuables, is it legal for me to carry a handgun with a loaded mag next to it inside the box since it is a locked container? I'm gonna be with Girlfriend driving mostly by night, so I don't want to be vulnerable by night in case of a tire blow out or any mis-hap that might happen, but God willingly won't. Any info or suggestions on what to do would be perfect!

DO you use it in the vehicle? If so is it mounted? Cable lock? Or just kinda in your car?

Mine is not mounted as I've been too lazy do it. I also care not for 12025's prohibitions as it doesn't apply to me due to a professional exemption (12027 - 830.1).

However, I only use the box when traveling and not carrying it on my hip or if I have to enter a fed. building and need to leave it in the car, etc...

I don't think that mounting it makes it a prohibited "utility compartment" as it is not very utilitarian in its sole use purpose. But I understand why some get paranoid and place restrictions on themselves when interpreting codes broadly (like keep a lock between the gun and ammo and other such advice not required by PC).

__________________
False is the idea of utility that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one imaginary or trifling inconvenience; that would take fire from men because it burns, and water because one may drown in it; that has no remedy for evils except destruction. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
-- Cesare Beccaria http://www.a-human-right.com/

I'm travelling to Southern California on Friday night, I have one of those Sentry Lock Boxes for Money and other valuables, is it legal for me to carry a handgun with a loaded mag next to it inside the box since it is a locked container?

Generally yes, but you should know these laws like the back of your hand. Look here and here for Ca law information (keep in mind on the latter were holding off OCing for the month of August and others are waiting for incorporation).

__________________
False is the idea of utility that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one imaginary or trifling inconvenience; that would take fire from men because it burns, and water because one may drown in it; that has no remedy for evils except destruction. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
-- Cesare Beccaria http://www.a-human-right.com/

Generally yes, but you should know these laws like the back of your hand. Look here and here for Ca law information (keep in mind on the latter were holding off OCing for the month of August and others are waiting for incorporation).

One thing I forgot to say was is it ok if I have the locked box in the back seat or would it be more recommended to have it in the trunk??

One thing I forgot to say was is it ok if I have the locked box in the back seat or would it be more recommended to have it in the trunk??

It should be on your lap or within easy reach for, as "Heller" puts it, "in case of confrontation".

Note: the trunk is another option IF a fully enclosed locked case is not available. Some people use both, the locked case in a locked trunk. Depends on your level of comfortability and assumed risk of encounter with untrained police.

To be more direct - If it is unloaded and in a locked case you can have it anywhere in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

__________________
False is the idea of utility that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one imaginary or trifling inconvenience; that would take fire from men because it burns, and water because one may drown in it; that has no remedy for evils except destruction. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
-- Cesare Beccaria http://www.a-human-right.com/

12026.1. (a) Section 12025 shall not be construed to prohibit any citizen of the United States over the age of 18 years who resides or is temporarily within this state, and who is not within the excepted classes prescribed by Section 12021 or 12021.1 of this code or Section 8100 or 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, from transporting or carrying any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, provided that the following applies to the firearm: (1) The firearm is within a motor vehicle and it is locked in the vehicle's trunk or in a locked container in the vehicle other than the utility or glove compartment.
(2) The firearm is carried by the person directly to or from any motor vehicle for any lawful purpose and, while carrying the firearm, the firearm is contained within a locked container.
(b) The provisions of this section do not prohibit or limit the otherwise lawful carrying or transportation of any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person in accordance with this chapter.
(c) As used in this section, "locked container" means a secure container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device.

Some have argued that. There are other gun vaults that have a cable attached specifically for use in your car. However; once you attach the cable to your car it's really no different than bolting the damn thing in. I believe that an added compartment won't be considered a "Utility Compartment." I guess it would be comparable to storing a handgun in a "job box" in your pick up.

I don't know if there is any case law on this. I'm sure someone here does and will post if it exists.

I also would like to know if there was any case law mounting these in your vehicle.

Nothing I have heard of yet. The confusion is because the Penal Code does not define "Utility Compartment"

So they might say because it is bolted the car/truck it is now a utility compartment. If the same contaner is not bolted but secured by a cable lock. Its just a locked container with a anti theft device.

I'd error on the side of caution and save money on ammo rather than lawyers.